2004 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
22,118 MOT tests on the 2004 Mazda MX-5 are in this dataset, and 73.5% of them passed. That is 4.1 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.4%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (11.4%) and lighting & signalling (9.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 2,010 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 29.8% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.3% in 2021 to 25.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 11.4% | 2,514 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 2,192 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 2,130 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 1,612 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 1,391 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.2% | 1,155 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,010 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 1,777 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 1,506 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 1,062 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,046 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 1,021 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.7% | 7,020 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.3% | 6,265 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.3% | 3,827 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 3,578 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 2,472 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 1,727 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 848 | 12.3% |
| 30-60k | 5,063 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,797 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 5,007 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,489 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 907 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,527 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 4,983 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 4,556 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 3,725 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 3,327 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 MX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 11.4% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (11.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (9.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 22,118 2004 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mazda MX-5?
Brakes, recorded in 11.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.9%).
Does the 2004 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.3% in the 0-30k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,118 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.